Sealing device and delivery system

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of delivering a medical device to a delivery site within a patient, the method comprising:
 releasably coupling a medical device with a deployment handle, the medical device including an expandable frame having a plurality of struts extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the frame; 
 arranging the medical device into an elongated configuration with the deployment handle by actuating a linear actuator within a slot to a proximal stopping position; 
 arranging the medical device into a deployed configuration by actuating the linear actuator within the slot to a distal stopping position subsequent to actuating the linear actuator to the proximal stopping position; and 
 moving the linear actuator laterally from a distal notch of the slot prior to withdrawing the linear actuator proximally within the slot. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising actuating a release actuator to release the medical device from the deployment handle. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein arranging the medical device into the elongated configuration includes withdrawing the medical device within a catheter lumen of the deployment handle. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable frame comprises a proximal frame portion, and releasably coupling the medical device to the deployment handle includes coupling the proximal frame portion to the deployment handle. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal stopping position is indicative of the medical device being arranged in the elongated configuration. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the linear actuator laterally within the slot at the proximal stopping position into a proximal notch of the slot. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the medical device to self-expand upon release from the deployment handle at the delivery site within the patient. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the expandable frame comprises a shape memory alloy configured to self-expand upon release from the deployment handle. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment handle comprises a first tube extending from an end of the deployment handle; a second tube configured to retract within the first tube; and a third tube configured to retract within the second tube. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein actuating the linear actuator within the slot comprising retracting the third tube within the second tube, and retracting the second tube within the first tube. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a substantially bell shape. 
     
     
       12. A method for operating a deployment handle, the method comprising:
 actuating at least one linear actuator within a channel arranged within a housing of the deployment handle, the deployment handle comprising a first tube extending from an end of the housing, a second tube configured to retract within the first tube, a third tube configured to retract within the second tube, and the channel having a length portion arranged along at least a partial length of the housing, and the at least one linear actuator being configured to move within the channel along the length thereof; 
 actuating the at least one linear actuator within the channel in the deployment handle to retract the third tube within the second tube, and retract the second tube within the first tube based on a position of the at least one linear actuator within the channel; and 
 releasably coupling a medical device to the deployment handle for delivery thereof, wherein the medical device comprises an elongated configuration and a deployed configuration and transitioning the third tube within the second tube and the second tube within the first tube elongates the medical device to the elongated configuration in response to withdrawing the at least one linear actuator proximally within the channel. 
 
     
     
       13. A method of delivering a medical device to a delivery site within a patient, the method comprising:
 releasably coupling a medical device with a deployment handle, the medical device including an expandable frame having a plurality of struts extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the frame; 
 arranging the medical device into an elongated configuration with the deployment handle by actuating a linear actuator within a slot to a proximal stopping position; 
 arranging the medical device into a deployed configuration by actuating the linear actuator within the slot to a distal stopping position subsequent to actuating the linear actuator to the proximal stopping position; and 
 moving the linear actuator laterally within the slot at the proximal stopping position into a proximal notch of the slot.